All That Glitters

[Nephrite]

"If we pass through the other layers, I was actually going to grab something mundane from the area to send back to Aurora -- I always wanted to put more things from here in that small church I built. I always thought people might feel some comfort being near a piece of the Mountain, even when they're away." He smiles a bit, nostalgically for a moment.

"Anyway, do we just... go up?" He asks.

[Anastasia]

"Aye" Cresiel agrees solemnly, looking up. "My father showed me the way not long ago. Fear not spreading this to others, for only those found worthy can do this. Simply fly with me, Moore." With this Cresiel takes to the wing, ascending higher and higher. "But whatever you do, do not do this on Jovar. Xerona chastises all who seek to so presumptuously fly towards Chronias, and all paths there lead to the Bridge of al-Sihal."

[Nephrite]

"Oh, yeah, don't worry, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. ..." He smacks himself in the face.

"You know what I mean." He shakes his head and starts flying up!

[Anastasia]

Cresiel smiles faintly as he flies up with you. "Should I fear Grias mothering you greatly?" His smile stays in place as he looks up, the increased radiance of Celestia like a shining beacon beckoning you onward. Bear this light in mind, for there are times where the Sigil of Loss shall blot out the sun and the moon.

[Nephrite]

The sigil of... what? He'll have to do some reading on that when he gets a chance.

"Somehow I'll manage his doting." Moore says with a grin. "I didn't realize we were going to get so many helpers, I guess this missive is more important than I realized."

[Anastasia]

"This mission?" Cresiel asks back, "All missions in Celestia are important, and all receive exactly what they need." You fly up - and below you now see gentle hills and golden light, tombs dotted about. Mercuria, the second layer of Celestia is now below you. "Even ones that you are doomed to fail, for in defeat are often the seeds of a far greater victory."

[Nephrite]

"I just mean the role we're playing now, of gathering allies to continue our... agenda, I suppose. Or maybe the general mission against Shar and what she's trying to do." Moore says.

"I figured it was just going to be you and me doing most of it, I never expected so much help with day-to-day tasks." Moore says with a laugh. "I even have a spell that makes a mansion with helpers in it, because I'm so lazy about cleaning."

[Anastasia]

"Cleanliness is one of the guideposts to Chronias," Cresiel recites, "A wise saying of Pistis Sophia from her Gospels. Are you familiar with her collected wisdom?"

Below things change again. Now below you is Venya, snowy and peaceful.

[Nephrite]

"I'm not intimately familiar, no." Moore says. "I'm sure I could think of something to counter that, though, given enough time!"

[Anastasia]

"But why would you?" Cresiel asks, "It is fine, hard won wisdom to be understood, not debunked." A sniff of the air as he challenges back without any heat, "It also smells as if you bathed today, or at least used magic to cleanse yourself."

[Nephrite]

"'One path for all does not make it the right path for all,'" Moore says, sagely. "I just made that up. I'm not saying living in a dirty sty is a good thing people should strive for -- I just mean that to someone, clean isn't clean enough. Or someone else may know exactly where to find things in a grab-bag of chaos. I know, I know, it's an idealistic difference of opinion on that -- my point is that you should be open to new ways of looking at things."

[Anastasia]

"All the wisdom I need resides here," Cresiel gestures, then looks up at the radiant Chronias above. "There is absolute truth and it awaits us all above, when we become worthy to receive it. Just as there is the absolute light of 21. I would not be shocked to learn that the light of Chronias and the light of 21 are similar things indeed."

[Nephrite]

"Yes, I understand. There's wisdom outside Celestia too, though, so you shouldn't shun it." Moore says with a smile. "Aurora taught me that. As for that... mm... it's possible... If I find that answer out, I'll let you know." He adds with a laugh.

Actually, she would know, wouldn't she?

[Anastasia]

To her sorrow.

Cresiel pauses as he looks below. Below are now misty valleys and mountains, luminescent fog covering them like shrouds. The occasional settlement or clearing can be seen in the fog, but most everything below is covered by it. "Solania, the home of Pistis Sophia," Cresiel announces. "Should you ever need solitude, come here and simply walk. Wisdom shall find you when it is right, and you may meet Pistis Sophia herself. She is known to come to those who need her wisdom."

[Nephrite]

"Can you get to Bahamut's Palace the same way as this?" Moore asks.